US20010043841A1 - Locking quick-change chuck assembly - Google Patents
Locking quick-change chuck assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010043841A1 US20010043841A1 US09/713,579 US71357900A US2001043841A1 US 20010043841 A1 US20010043841 A1 US 20010043841A1 US 71357900 A US71357900 A US 71357900A US 2001043841 A1 US2001043841 A1 US 2001043841A1
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- Prior art keywords
- shuttle
- bore
- ball
- sleeve
- longitudinally extending
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- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
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- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000284 extract Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B15/00—Screwdrivers
- B25B15/001—Screwdrivers characterised by material or shape of the tool bit
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B23/00—Details of, or accessories for, spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers
- B25B23/0007—Connections or joints between tool parts
- B25B23/0035—Connection means between socket or screwdriver bit and tool
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S279/00—Chucks or sockets
- Y10S279/904—Quick change socket
- Y10S279/905—Quick change socket with ball detent
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T279/00—Chucks or sockets
- Y10T279/17—Socket type
- Y10T279/17128—Self-grasping
- Y10T279/17171—One-way-clutch type
- Y10T279/17188—Side detent
- Y10T279/17196—Ball or roller
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T279/00—Chucks or sockets
- Y10T279/17—Socket type
- Y10T279/17666—Radially reciprocating jaws
- Y10T279/17692—Moving-cam actuator
- Y10T279/17743—Reciprocating cam sleeve
- Y10T279/17752—Ball or roller jaws
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T279/00—Chucks or sockets
- Y10T279/34—Accessory or component
- Y10T279/3481—Tool or workpiece ejector
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T408/00—Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
- Y10T408/94—Tool-support
- Y10T408/95—Tool-support with tool-retaining means
- Y10T408/953—Clamping jaws
Definitions
- This invention relates to chuck assemblies for tool bits and, more particularly to a quick release chuck adapted for releasing the bit from the chuck using one hand.
- Tool bits include tools used for drilling, driving, fastener devices such as screws, nuts and bolts, and other work elements requiring rotational motion.
- the American National Standards Institute has a specification for such tools known as ANSI B 107.4-1982 which refers to driving and spindle ends for portable powered and hand held machines using tool bits.
- Tool bits in accordance with the standard have a hexagonally configured shank with a circumferential groove formed into the shank. The circumferential groove has a flat, bottom portion disposed between two radiused shoulder portions.
- the standard reflects a long term and pervasive use of such tool bits and the large inventory of tools available.
- One common method of using the spring biased sleeve to retain the tool bit in the chuck is by urging a ball into contact with the circumferential groove of the tool bit and maintaining the ball in position by a shoulder (or cam surface) mounted on the sleeve.
- the ball is urged into contact with the groove and maintained in position by a compression spring disposed between the spindle and the sleeve.
- a ring secured to the spindle limits the movement of the sleeve in one direction, and the compression spring limits the movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction.
- the tool bit is prevented from being axially extracted from the chuck by the shoulder.
- the spring biased shoulder is urged against the ball which locks it against a retaining face. Attempting to extract the tool bit from the bore without release of the detent ball pulls the ball against the retaining face. Therefore the shoulder locks the ball into the circumferential groove. The resulting force prevents extraction of the tool bit from the shank receiving bore.
- Changing the bit may not only be inconvenient, but also dangerous.
- the worker may attempt to move the sleeve against the compression spring with one hand, using his or her body (or some stationary object) to provide pressure force against the power tool while he or she removes the tool bit with his or her second hand.
- the worker may attempt to hold onto the power tool handle with one hand, and simultaneously attempt to retract and hold the sleeve in a compressed position while removing the tool bit with the other hand.
- These awkward methods of changing of the bit often result in the worker losing his or her grip on the bit or on the tool and dropping it. At the very least, dropping the tool or bit causes the worker the inconvenience of having to descend the ladder to retrieve the bit. At worst, the bit could fall onto someone standing below, causing serious harm.
- the invention is a chuck assembly for a tool bit which includes a spindle with a quick release mechanism adapted to allow the user to place the chuck assembly in a lock mode or a loading and unloading position.
- the tool bit includes a shank portion with a circumferential groove in accordance with the ANSI standard.
- a longitudinally extending bore is provided in the spindle for receiving the shank portion of the tool bit.
- a first detent ball is disposed in a radially extending bore communicating with the shank receiving bore.
- a spring biased sleeve shoulder is selectively urged against the first detent ball, locking it against a retaining face. Attempted axial extraction of the tool bit from the bore presses the ball against the retaining face, producing an opposite tangential force to the axial retraction force. Manually moving the sleeve shoulder by moving a sleeve compresses the spring and releases the tool bit.
- a second detent ball is in communication with the sleeve and a spring biased shuttle in the bore. A hollow disposed on the shuttle locks the sleeve in place, preventing the shoulder from locking the first detent ball against the retaining face.
- the invention can be defined as an improvement to a chuck assembly of the type having a chuck hub with a longitudinally extending bore therein the longitudinally extending bore having a closed end, an open end, and a radially extending bit bore in communication with the longitudinally extending bore, and a bit ball movable in the ball bore between a first retracted position out of the longitudinally extending bore and a second engaged position partially in the longitudinally extending bore.
- the inventive improvement includes a shuttle slidably disposed in the longitudinally extending bore.
- the shuttle has a first longitudinally extending portion having a first lateral dimension and a second longitudinally extending portion having a second, smaller lateral dimension.
- the shuttle is movable longitudinally between a first release position and a second lock position.
- the inventive improvement also includes a compression spring urging the shuttle away from the closed end of the longitudinally extending bore, and a shuttle ball disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore in the chuck hub which is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore of the chuck hub.
- the shuttle ball is movable in the shuttle ball bore between a first retracted position where the shuttle ball contacts the first longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts the second longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle.
- shuttle ball when the shuttle ball is in its second extended position, it extends further into the longitudinally extending bore than the bit ball, when the bit ball is in its second engaged position.
- the improved chuck hub also includes a sleeve movable relative to the chuck hub between a first shuttle release position and a second shuttle lock position.
- the sleeve has a first shuttle ball contact surface having a first radial dimension and a second shuttle ball contact surface having a second smaller radial dimension.
- the first contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in its first shuttle release position and the shuttle ball is in its first retracted position
- the second contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in the second shuttle locked position and the shuttle ball is in its second extended position.
- the sleeve is preferably movable longitudinally relative to the chuck hub.
- the second shuttle ball contact surface on the sleeve is preferably an inner circumferential surface.
- the chuck hub has an outer circumferential surface adjacent the shuttle ball bore, and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve has a slightly larger diameter than the outer circumferential surface of the chuck hub.
- the present invention can also be defined as a locking chuck assembly for a tool bit shank of the type which has a circumferential groove disposed thereabout.
- the chuck assembly includes a chuck hub having a forward face and a fixed radial extension.
- a longitudinal bore is provided in the hub for receiving the tool bit shank, with the longitudinal bore having a terminating face.
- a shuttle is disposed in the bore.
- the shuttle has a bit end, a spring end, a forward lower face and a rearward interim face, and the shuttle is slidable along the longitudinal bore between a rearward position and a forward position.
- a shuttle spring is disposed between the spring end of the shuttle and the terminating face of the bore, with the shuttle spring acting to bias the shuttle to its forward position.
- a rear bore extends radially through the hub proximate the terminating face of the longitudinal bore so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore, and a shuttle detent ball is disposed in the rear bore so as to engage the shuttle.
- a front bore extends radially through the hub proximate the forward face so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore, and a bit detent ball is disposed in the front bore so as to engage the circumferential groove of the tool bit shank.
- a sleeve is disposed annularly about the chuck hub, and is slidable along the chuck hub between a tool bit loaded position and a load/unload position.
- a sleeve spring is disposed between the fixed radial extension of the hub and the sleeve to bias the sleeve toward its tool bit loaded position.
- the shuttle When the sleeve is disposed in its tool bit loaded position, the shuttle is positioned in its rearward position such that the shuttle spring is compressed and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with the forward lower face on the shuttle so as to prevent the shuttle spring from moving the shuttle, while allowing the sleeve spring to bias the sleeve.
- the shuttle When the sleeve is disposed in its load/unload position, the shuttle is positioned in its forward position such that the shuttle spring is less compressed than when the shuttle is in its rearward position and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with the rearward interim face on the shuttle and the sleeve is in a position to allow the shuttle spring to bias the shuttle away from the terminating face of the bore.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a first fitted shank portion from a tool bit extended into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck in the loading and unloading position.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the chuck assembly in the open position.
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a second fitted shank portion of a tool bit extended partially into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with the second fitted shank portion extended into the chuck assembly to engage the shuttle.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sleeve portion of the inventive chuck.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the chuck assembly of the present invention showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a first fitted shank portion from a tool bit extended into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7, showing the quick release feature of the chuck in the loading and unloading position.
- FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the chuck assembly in the open position.
- FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a second fitted shank portion of a tool bit extending partially into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with the second fitted shank portion extended into the chuck assembly to engage the shuttle.
- FIG. 12 shows an alternative shuttle embodiment in its rearward position.
- FIG. 12A shows the shuttle embodiment of FIG. 12 in its forward position.
- FIG. 12B shows the retaining clip used in the embodiment of FIGs. 12 and 12A.
- the present invention is a quick change chuck for a tool bit illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1.
- the chuck 10 includes a chuck hub 12, a sleeve 14, a bit detent ball 16, a shuttle detent ball 20, a sleeve spring 22, a shuttle 24 and a shuttle spring 26.
- the chuck hub 12 includes a forward distal end 30 and a driven proximal end 32.
- the driven end 32 is shaped to form a spindle 34 (typically having a hexagonally shaped cross-section) to provide a connection to the power tool.
- the forward end 30 terminates in a forward face 30A.
- a hexagonal bore 36 extends perpendicularly into the forward face 30A and axially towards the driven end 32 of the hub 12.
- the hexagonal bore 36 is centered in the forward face 30A, is substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of the hub 12 and is shaped to admit a standard quick release tool bit 40.
- the bore 36 includes an inner wall 37 and terminates in the hub 12 along a terminating face 38.
- the terminating face 38 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub 12, although a person skilled in the art would realize the terminating face 38 may have a concavity (as shown) due to the boring process.
- the tool bit 40 includes a hexagonally shaped shank 42.
- the shank 42 includes a circumferential groove 44 near a proximal end 45 of the shank 42.
- the circumferential groove 44 includes three distinct surface profiles, including a radially inwardly extending rear radiused shoulder 46, a centered flat portion 48 and a radially inwardly extending forward radiused shoulder 50.
- the shuttle 24 is coaxial with the chuck hub 12 and is slidably disposed in the hexagonal bore 36, between the shank 42 of the tool bit 40 and the terminating face 38 of the bore 36.
- the shuttle 24 has a proximal spring end 60 and a distal bit end 62.
- the spring end 60 includes a spring face 60A which is preferably shaped so as to contiguously engage the terminating face 38 of the bore 36.
- a spring bore 64 extends distally into the spring face 60A, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24 (and the hub 12). The spring bore 64 terminates in the shuttle 24 along a distal bore shoulder 64A.
- the bore shoulder 64A is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24 (although, as shown, a concavity may exist due to the boring process).
- the bit end 62 of the shuttle 24 includes a bit face 62A substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hub 12.
- the bit face 62A is shaped to engage the proximal end 45 of the shank 42 of the tool bit 40.
- a protrusion bore 66 is disposed perpendicularly into the bit face 62A, and extends through the shuttle 24 into the spring bore 64.
- the protrusion bore 66 is an optional feature providing clearance for a protrusion disposed on the proximal end of a non-standard tool bit (not shown).
- Non-standard bits utilizing protrusions are known in the art, and the protrusion may serve a variety of purposes (for example, the protrusion may provide a hex wrench for adjustment of features integral to the tool bit).
- the protrusion bore 66 is depicted as being cylindrical, a person skilled in the art would realize that other bore shapes (i.e., hexagonal) can be used. Additionally, the protrusion bore 66 need not be in communication with the spring bore 64, and may be omitted from the chuck 10, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- the shuttle spring 26 is disposed in the spring bore 64. One end of the shuttle spring 26 engages the terminating face 38 of the hexagonal bore 36 and the other end engages the bore shoulder 64A of the spring bore 64.
- the shuttle spring 26 is of the compression spring type, so that the spring 26 urges the shuttle 24 axially away from the terminating face 38 of the bore 36 and towards the forward end 30 of the chuck hub 12.
- a locking hollow 70 is disposed annularly around the shuttle 24. Although a person skilled in the art would realize the locking hollow 70 can have any one of several profiles, the preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1.
- the locking hollow 70 includes a forward face 71 disposed in the bit end 62 of the shuttle 24 and contiguous with the inner wall 37 of the bore 36.
- a forward wall 72 is adjacent to and rearward from the forward face 71.
- the forward wall 72 extends from the forward face 71 radially inward (towards the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24) and slightly rearward (towards the driven end 32 of the hub 12).
- Rearward from and adjacent to the forward face 72 is a lower face 74.
- the lower face 74 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24.
- An interim wall 76 extends from the lower face 74 radially outward and slightly rearward. Rearward from and adjacent to the interim wall 76 is an interim face 78.
- the interim face 78 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24 at a position outward from the lower face 74.
- the interim face 78 extends rearwardly from the interim wall 76.
- a rear wall 80 extends from the interim face 78 radially outward and slightly rearward, terminating at the inner wall 37 of the bore 36.
- a rear face 82 is substantially in contiguous engagement with the inner wall 37 of the bore 36.
- Front and rear radially extending bores 86 and 88 communicate with hexagonal bore 36, extending from the inner wall 37 of the hexagonal bore 36 through the hub 12 to an outer cylindrical surface 90 of the hub 12.
- the outer surface 90 extends the length of the chuck hub 12.
- the bit detent ball 16 and the shuttle detent ball 20 are disposed in the radially extending bores 86 and 88, respectively.
- the balls 16 and 20 are sized to fit loosely into the radially extending bores 86 and 88, permitting the balls 16 and 20 to move axially within the bores 86 and 88 respectively.
- the bit detent ball 16 is able to extend into the hexagonal bore 36, coming into contact with the tool bit 40.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 is able to extend into the hexagonal bore 36, coming into contact with the locking hollow 70 of the shuttle 24.
- Shoulders 92A and 92B are disposed in the front bore 86 adjacent to the tool bit shank 42 to prevent the bit detent ball 16 from passing completely into the hexagonal bore 36.
- the bit detent ball 16 and the shuttle detent ball 20 are held in their respective positions of extending into the hexagonal bore 36 by the moveable sleeve 14 disposed around the outer cylindrical surface 90.
- the sleeve 14 is coaxially mounted relative to the hub 12.
- the sleeve 14 is disposable between a rearward (or “locking” or “tool bit loaded”) position and a forward (or “retracted” or “load/unload”) position.
- the moveable sleeve 14 (in the preferred embodiment) must be in a maximum rearward position (towards the driven end 32 of the chuck hub 12).
- the sleeve 14 is biased towards the rearward position by the sleeve spring 22.
- the sleeve spring 22 is held in a rear cavity 94 of the moveable sleeve 14.
- the rear cavity 94 is disposed between the sleeve 14 and the hub outer cylindrical surface 90.
- the sleeve spring 22 bears against a surface such as a washer (or c-clip) 96 mounted around the outer cylindrical surface 90 on one end and a rear shoulder 98 of the sleeve 14 on the other end.
- a washer or c-clip
- the washer or c-clip could be fixed relative to the chuck hub 12 by any number of methods, including welding it in place, disposing it in a groove formed in the chuck hub 12 or abutting it against a shoulder of the chuck hub 12.
- the washer 96 can be an integral part of the chuck hub 12.
- the forward shoulder 101 urges the detent ball 16 radially inward into contact with the retaining shoulders 92A and 92B of the front bore 86. In its rearward biased position, the forward shoulder 101 thus holds the bit detent ball 16 against the tool bit 40 in the hexagonal bore 36.
- the forward shoulder 101 has a profile which locks and holds the bit detent ball 16 in place.
- the use of a shoulder profile to hold a detent ball in the circumferential groove of a tool bit is known in the art and is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,900,202 and 5,013,194, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
- the forward shoulder 101 applies a force to the bit detent ball 16 normal to the longitudinal axis of the hub 12.
- the walls of the front bore 86 as well as a portion of the forward shoulder 101 apply a force to the bit detent ball 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hub 12.
- the circumferential groove 44 is substantially aligned with the front bore 86 when the shank 42 of the tool bit 40 is fully admitted to the hexagonal bore 36. At such time, the shank 42 abuts the bit face 62A of the shuttle 24.
- the radius of the radiused shoulder 46 is substantially the same as the radius of the bit detent ball 16 and accordingly the ball 16 makes contact along the entirety of the shoulder 46. Since the ball 16 is locked in place as described, the ball 16 transmits an opposite responsive axial force to the forward or outward axial forces, preventing the extraction of the bit 40. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that the size of the bit detent ball 16 (as well as the shuttle detent ball 20) can be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- the rear shoulder 98 has a first portion 103 which extends from the sleeve 14 through the rear cavity 94 and terminates at the outer cylindrical surface 90 of the hub 12, at the inner face 102.
- a second portion 106 of the rear shoulder 98 is integral to the first portion 103 and disposed adjacent and rearwardly from the first portion 103.
- the second portion 106 extends from the sleeve 14 and terminates at an outer face 108.
- the outer face 108 is disposed radially outward from the inner face 102.
- Retaining face 110 extends radially from the inner face 102 to the outer face 108.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 When the sleeve 14 is in its rearward biased position, the inner face 102 is engaged with the shuttle detent ball 20.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 is disposed into the hexagonal bore 36 into contact with the lower face 74 and interim wall 76 of the shuttle 24.
- the shuttle 24 In the tool bit loaded mode of FIG. 1, the shuttle 24 is biased in a rearward position, compressing the shuttle spring 26.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 acts to prevent the shuttle spring 26 from urging the shuttle 24 forward.
- the interim wall 76 transfers the axial spring force to the ball 20.
- the ball 20 is prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction of the hub 12 by a wall 88A of the rear bore 88 and prevented from moving normally to the longitudinal axis of the hub 12 by the inner face 102 of the rear shoulder 98 and the lower face 74 of the shuttle 24.
- the tool bit 40 is removed from the chuck 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2.
- the sleeve 14 is moved forward in the direction of arrow 112 by the operator, compressing the sleeve spring 22.
- the forward shoulder 101 is disengaged from the bit detent ball 16.
- the ball 16 is free to rotate as well as move radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 by moving radially out of the front bore 86.
- the forward movement 112 of the sleeve 14 moves the shuttle detent ball 20 radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 through the rear bore 88.
- the first portion 103 of the rear shoulder 98 is moved forward relative to the rear bore 88, so that the inner face 102 no longer prevents the shuttle detent ball 20 from moving radially outward from the hexagonal bore 36.
- the outer face 108 of the rear shoulder 98 is substantially aligned radially outward from the rear bore 88.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 is free to travel into the cavity 111 formed between the outer face 108 and the outer surface 90 of the chuck hub 12.
- the shuttle spring 26 urges the shuttle 24 forward and the shuttle detent ball 20 is pushed radially outward, through the rear bore 88 by the interim wall 76.
- the ball 20 moves radially outwardly until it encounters the outer face 108 of the rear shoulder 98.
- the ball 20 moves outwardly enough for the interim wall 76 to pass forward of the ball 20, the ball 20 is stopped by the outer face 108 of the rear shoulder 98 before it can pass completely out of the hexagonal bore 36.
- the shuttle 24 is thus free to move forward until the rear wall 80 strikes the shuttle detent ball 20 (although other walls or protrusions may be used to stop the forward travel of the shuttle, as is discussed with respect to FIGs. 12-12B).
- the forward movement of the shuttle 24 is halted by the detent ball 20, and the axial force of the shuttle spring 26 on the shuttle detent ball 20 is countered in the axial direction by the wall 88A of the rear bore 88 and in the normal direction by the outer face 108 of the rear shoulder 98.
- the shuttle 24 is thereby prevented from being pushed out of the hexagonal bore 36 by the shuttle spring 26 and is disposed in a "forward" position.
- the operator can let go of the sleeve 14.
- the sleeve 14 is urged rearward in direction of arrow 114 (FIG. 2) by the sleeve spring 22.
- retaining face 110 engages the shuttle detent ball 20, and prevents the sleeve 14 from returning to the rearward position (its position in FIG. 1).
- the longitudinal force of the sleeve spring 22 is transferred by the retaining face 110 of the rear shoulder 98 to the shuttle detent ball 20.
- the longitudinal force of the sleeve spring 22 on the shuttle detent ball 20 is countered longitudinally by the wall 88A of the rear bore 88 and normally by the interim face 78 of the shuttle 24.
- the chuck 10 is thereby placed in load/unload mode, with the sleeve 14 locked in the forward position.
- the operator can pull the bit 40 from the hexagonal bore 36. Since the sleeve 14 is locked into place relative to the hub 12, the operator may use the same hand used to slide the sleeve 14 forward as is used to withdraw the bit 40, preventing the likelihood of dropping the bit 40 or the power tool. Preferably, the forward movement of the shuttle 24 pushes the tool bit 40 partially out of the hexagonal bore 36. Moving the tool bit 40 axially out of the chuck 10 (in direction of arrow 112) displaces the bit detent ball 16 radially outwardly as the ball 16 rides up the rear radiused shoulder 46 out of the circumferential groove 44 and onto a rear part 43 of the shank 42. The tool bit 40 is now easily removed from the hexagonal bore 36, allowing replacement of the tool bit 40 with the shank of another tool bit.
- an elastomeric O-ring 116 is disposed annularly around the hub 12 between the washer 96 and the bit detent ball 16.
- the O-ring 16 is uncompressed when the bit detent ball 16 is disposed radially into the hexagonal bore 36.
- the O-ring 116 is compressed as the detent ball 16 rides the rear radiused shoulder 46 onto the rear part 43 of the shank 42.
- the sleeve 14 is disposed in the forward locked position (FIG. 2), the bit detent ball 16 is urged into (but not locked into) the hexagonal bore 36 by the O-ring.
- the O-ring 116 (through its action on the ball 16) creates some frictional resistance to the axial withdrawal of the bit 40, and thus prevents the tool bit 40 from accidentally sliding out of the hexagonal bore 36 (due to gravity, etc.), once again preventing accidental dropping of the bit 40. Therefore, the tool bit 40 must be extracted by the operator in order to remove the tool bit 40 from the bore 36.
- the O-ring 116 releasably urges the bit detent ball 16 radially inward into the hexagonal bore 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
- inserting a different tool bit 40A into the chuck 10 once again requires the operator to apply axial force (in direction of arrow 114) to the tool bit 40A to overcome the radially inward force applied to the bit detent ball 16 by the elastomeric O-ring 116.
- a tapered end 118 of the bit 40A pushes the ball 16 radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 (against the bias of the O-ring 116) to permit insertion of the tool bit 40A.
- the shank 42A of the tool bit 40A is extended into the hexagonal bore 36 (in the direction of arrow 114). The tool bit 40A is extended until it engages the bit face 62A of the shuttle 24 as illustrated in FIG. 5.
- the shuttle 24 is urged proximally (as arrow 114) until the lower face 74 of the shuttle 24 is aligned radially inward from the rear bore 88.
- the sleeve spring 22 then urges the shuttle detent ball 20 radially inward through the rear bore 88 until it engages the lower face 74.
- the shuttle detent ball 20 is moved into the rear bore 88 inward from the inner face 102 of the rear shoulder 98 by the retaining face 110.
- the sleeve 14 is released from its locked position (FIG. 3), and the sleeve spring 22 urges the sleeve 14 into its rearward position (FIG. 5).
- the inner face 100 of the forward shoulder 101 forces the bit detent ball 16 radially inward into the circumferential groove 44A of the tool bit 40A, locking the new tool bit 40A into the chuck 10.
- multiple tool bits can be inserted, locked into place, and removed by the operator using one hand.
- the inventive chuck 10 allows the operator to move the sleeve 14 forward with one hand where it is locked in place. He or she can then remove and insert the tool bits with the same hand used to move the sleeve 14 forward. This enables the operator to keep his or her other hand on the power tool used to drive the chuck 10, preventing the tool bits or the power tool from accidentally being dropped.
- FIG. 6 An alternate embodiment of the sleeve 14A is illustrated in FIG. 6.
- An annular rubber grip 120 can be inserted into an annular groove 122 disposed into the sleeve 14A.
- the rubber grip 120 provides the operator with a more ergonomic surface to grasp while moving the sleeve 14A forward when releasing the tool bit.
- the present invention is directed to a chuck assembly with a spring-biased shuttle disposed in the longitudinal tool bit bore of the chuck assembly, and even more particularly, to the combination of such a shuttle and a sleeve to "place" the sleeve in a locked position against a spring biasing force. Fixing the sleeve position in this fashion allows the operator of the chuck to split the removal or insertion of the tool bit into two distinct operations, namely 1) moving the sleeve and 2) removing (or inserting) the tool bit into the chuck. Further, once the tool bit has been inserted, the sleeve is automatically placed in position to lock the tool bit into the hub, by operation of the biased shuttle, biased sleeve, and their associated detent balls.
- the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG's 1-5 can be defined as an improvement to a chuck assembly of the type having a chuck hub with a longitudinally extending bore 36 therein the longitudinally extending bore having a closed end 38, an open end 30, and a radially extending bit ball bore 86 in communication with the longitudinally extending bore 36, and a bit ball 16 movable in the bit ball bore 86 between a first retracted position out of the longitudinally extending bore 36 and a second engaged position partially in the longitudinally extending bore 36.
- the inventive improvement includes a shuttle 24 slidably disposed in the longitudinally extending bore 36.
- the shuttle 24 has a first longitudinally extending portion 78 having a first lateral dimension and a second longitudinally extending portion 74 having a second, smaller lateral dimension.
- the shuttle 24 is movable longitudinally between a first release position and a second lock position.
- the inventive improvement also includes a compression spring 26 urging the shuttle 24 away from the closed end 38 of the longitudinally extending bore 36, and a shuttle ball 20 disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore 88 in the chuck hub 12 which is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore 36 of the chuck hub 12.
- the shuttle ball 20 is movable in the shuttle ball bore 88 between a first retracted position where the shuttle ball 20 contacts the first longitudinally extending portion 78 of the shuttle 24 and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts the second longitudinally extending portion 74 of the shuttle 24.
- shuttle ball 20 when the shuttle ball 20 is in its second extended position, it extends further into the longitudinally extending bore 36 than the bit ball 16, when the bit ball 16 is in its second engaged position.
- the improved chuck hub also includes a sleeve 14 movable relative to the chuck hub 12 between a first shuttle release position and a second shuttle lock position.
- the sleeve 14 has a first shuttle ball contact surface 108 having a first radial dimension and a second shuttle ball contact surface 102 having a second smaller radial dimension.
- the first contact surface 108 engages the shuttle ball 20 when the sleeve is in its first shuttle release position and the shuttle ball 20 is in its first retracted position
- the second contact surface 102 engages the shuttle ball 20 when the sleeve 14 is in the second shuttle locked position and the shuttle ball 20 is in its second extended position.
- the sleeve 14 is preferably movable longitudinally relative to the chuck hub 12.
- the second shuttle ball contact surface 102 on the sleeve 14 is preferably an inner circumferential surface.
- the chuck hub 12 has an outer circumferential surface 90 adjacent the shuttle ball bore 88, and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 14 has a slightly larger diameter than the outer circumferential surface 90 of the chuck hub 12.
- the present invention can also be defined as a locking chuck assembly 10 for a tool bit shank 42 of the type which has a circumferential groove 44 disposed thereabout.
- the chuck assembly 10 includes a chuck hub 12 having a forward face 30A and a fixed radial extension 96.
- a longitudinal bore 36 is provided in the chuck hub 12 for receiving the tool bit shank 42, with the longitudinal bore 36 having a terminating face 38.
- a shuttle 24 is disposed in the bore 36.
- the shuttle 24 has a bit end 62, a spring end 60, a forward lower face 74 and a rearward interim face 78, and the shuttle is slidable along the longitudinal bore 36 between a rearward position and a forward position.
- a shuttle spring 26 is disposed between the spring end 60 of the shuttle 24 and the terminating face 38 of the longitudinal bore 36, with the shuttle spring 26 acting to bias the shuttle 24 to its forward position.
- a rear bore 88 extends radially through the chuck hub 12 proximate the terminating face 38 of the longitudinal bore 36 so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore 36, and a shuttle detent ball 20 is disposed in the rear bore 88 so as to engage the shuttle 24.
- a front bore 86 extends radially through the hub 12 proximate the forward face 30A so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore 36, and a bit detent ball 16 is disposed in the front bore 86 so as to engage the circumferential groove 44 of the tool bit shank 42.
- a sleeve 14 is disposed annularly about the chuck hub 12, and is slidable along the chuck hub 12 between a tool bit loaded position and a load/unload position.
- a sleeve spring 22 is disposed between the fixed radial extension 96 of the chuck hub 12 and the sleeve 14 to bias the sleeve 14 toward its tool bit loaded position.
- the shuttle 24 is positioned in its rearward position such that the shuttle spring 26 is compressed and the shuttle detent ball 20 is engaged with the forward lower face 74 on the shuttle 24 so as to prevent the shuttle spring 26 from moving the shuttle 24, while allowing the sleeve spring 22 to bias the sleeve 14.
- the shuttle 24 When the sleeve 14 is disposed in its load/unload position, the shuttle 24 is positioned in its forward position such that the shuttle spring 26 is less compressed than when the shuttle is in its rearward position and the shuttle detent ball 20 is engaged with the rearward interim face 78 on the shuttle 24 and the sleeve 14 is in a position to allow the shuttle spring 26 to bias the shuttle 24 away from the terminating face 38 of the longitudinal bore 36.
- the chuck 210 includes a chuck hub 212, a sleeve 214, a bit detent ball 216, a shuttle detent ball 220, a sleeve spring 222, a shuttle 224 and a shuttle spring 226.
- the detent ball 216 and the shuttle detent ball 220 are held in their respective positions of extending into a (preferably hexagonal) tool bit bore 236 by the movable sleeve 214 disposed around an outer cylindrical surface 290 of the chuck hub 212.
- the shuttle assembly operates in the same manner but the structure is slightly modified so that the orientation for sleeve movement relative to the chuck hub is reversed (the rearward position of the sleeve is the "retracted” or "load/unload” position and the forward position of the sleeve is the "locking" or "tool bit loaded” position).
- a sleeve spring 222 is disposed between a radial face 300A of a forward shoulder 301 of the sleeve 214 and a chuck hub radial face 296A, such as a washer 296 mounted about the outer cylindrical surface 90 of the chuck hub 212.
- the sleeve spring 222 thus biases the sleeve 214 toward a forward end 230 of the chuck hub 212.
- Rearward longitudinal movement of the sleeve 214 relative to the hub 212 compresses the sleeve spring 222 between the washer 296 and the forward shoulder 301.
- An annular notch 299 (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) may optionally be provided in the forward shoulder 301 to seat the sleeve spring 222 on the forward shoulder 301.
- the sleeve spring 222 biases the movable sleeve 214 forward, bringing an angular inner face 300 of the forward shoulder 301 into contact with the bit detent ball 216 and causing an inner circumferential face 302 of a rear shoulder 298 to interact with the shuttle detent ball 220.
- the forward shoulder 301 urges the detent ball 216 radially inward into contact with the retaining shoulders 292A and 292B of a front radial bore 286 in the chuck hub 212, and the ball 216 extends partially into the tool bit bore 236.
- the ball 216 is received within the circumferential groove 44 of the tool bit shank 42 and engages the rear radius shoulder 46 thereof (thus locking the tool bit from longitudinal movement relative to the tool bit bore 236).
- the forward shoulder 301 is disposed rearwardly of the front bore 286 (as opposed to being disposed forward of the front bore 86 in the first embodiment).
- the forward shoulder 301 moves forwardly to engage the detent ball 216 (as opposed to rearwardly as was described in the previous embodiment).
- the locking in position of the detent ball 216 so as to fix the position of the tool bit 40 in place in the chuck hub 212 occurs as was described with respect to the first embodiment.
- the rear shoulder 298 includes a inner face 302 and a retaining face 310.
- the inner face 302 is disposed radially inwardly in relation to the retaining face 310.
- the inner face 302 is engaged with the shuttle detent ball 220 (see FIG. 7).
- the shuttle detent ball 220 is disposed in a rear radial bore 288 and is urged into the tool bit bore 236 and into contact with a lower face 274 on the shuttle 224, in the same fashion as was described with respect to the previous embodiment.
- the inner face 302 is rearward of the retaining face 310 (towards a driven end 232 of the hub 212) as opposed to the previously described embodiment, where the retaining face 110 was disposed rearward of the inner face 102.
- FIG. 8 To illustrate, removing the tool bit 40 from the chuck 210 is illustrated in FIG. 8.
- the sleeve 214 is moved rearwardly in the direction of arrow 312 by the operator, compressing the sleeve spring 222.
- the inner face 300 of the forward shoulder 301 of the sleeve 214 is disengaged from the bit detent ball 216.
- the ball 216 is not constrained from rotation or radial movement out of the tool bit bore 236 (radially within the front bore 286) by the sleeve 214.
- the rearward movement 312 of the sleeve 214 allows the shuttle detent ball 220 to move radially out of the tool bit bore 236 through the rear bore 288.
- the rear shoulder 298 of the sleeve 214 is moved rearwardly relative to the rear bore 288 so that the inner face 302 thereof no longer prevents the shuttle detent ball 220 from moving radially outward from the tool bit bore 236.
- the retaining face 310 (which may also include a horizontal portion similar to the outer face 108 described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1) is defined to allow the shuttle detent ball 220 to travel into a cavity 311 formed between the retaining face 310 and the outer surface 290 of the chuck hub 212.
- the shuttle spring 226 urges the shuttle 224 forward (to the position shown in FIG. 8) which in turn causes the shuttle 224 to push the shuttle detent ball 220 radially outward, through the rear bore 288 (as was described with respect to the first embodiment).
- the detent ball 220 moves radially outwardly until it encounters the retaining face 310 of the rear shoulder 298 of the sleeve 214.
- the ball 220 is stopped by the retaining face 310 of the rear shoulder 298 before it can pass completely out of the tool bit bore 236 and the rear bore 288.
- the shuttle 224 is free to move forward (in the same manner as was described with respect to the previous embodiment) until it rests on an interim face 278 of the shuttle 224.
- the operator can let go of the sleeve 214.
- the sleeve 214 continues to be urged forwardly (in direction of arrow 314) by the sleeve spring 222.
- the retaining face 310 on the sleeve 214 engages the shuttle detent ball 220 and prevents the sleeve 214 from returning to the forward position (its position in FIG. 7).
- the longitudinal bias force of the sleeve spring 222 on the sleeve 214 is transferred by the retaining face 310 of the rear shoulder 298 to the shuttle detent ball 220.
- the force of the sleeve spring 222 on the shuttle detent ball 220 is countered longitudinally by a wall 288A of the rear bore 288 and radially (in the normal direction) by the shuttle 224.
- the inventive chuck 210 is thereby placed in a tool bit load/unload mode, with the shuttle 224 biased to a forward position and the sleeve 214 locked in the rearward position (see FIG. 8).
- the forward movement of the shuttle 224 pushes the tool bit 40 partially out of the tool bit bore 236.
- Moving the tool bit 40 axially out of the chuck 210 displaces the bit detent ball 216 radially outwardly as the ball 216 rides up the rear radius shoulder 46 of the circumferential groove 44 of the tool bit shank 42 and onto the rear part 43 of the shank 42 (such as described previously).
- the bit detent ball 216 is biased radially inwardly in the front bore 286.
- An elastomeric O-ring 316 is preferably disposed annularly about the hub 212 adjacent of the front bore 286.
- the O-ring 316 is disposed forward of the front bore 286 (versus rearward of the forward bore 86 in the first described embodiment) so as to not interfere with the movement of the forward shoulder 301 of the sleeve 214.
- the bit detent ball 216 and its related operative components thus serve to lock the tool bit 40 in place in the inventive chuck 210, and also to provide frictional resistance to longitudinal movement of the tool bit 40 along the tool bit bore 236 (by riding on the shank 42 of the tool bit 40).
- the O-ring 316 urges the detent ball 216 radially inward into the tool bit bore 236, as is illustrated in FIG. 9.
- the sleeve 214 remains in its rearward position, locked in place by the position of the shuttle detent ball 220, which in turn is held in place by the biased shuttle 224.
- inserting a different tool bit 40A into the chuck 210 once again requires the operator to apply an axial force (in direction of arrow 312) to the tool bit 40A to overcome the radially inward force applied to the bit detent ball 216 by the elastomeric O-ring 316 (or other frictional method as discussed previously).
- the tool bit 40A is freely movable longitudinally within the tool bit bore 236 until a shank 42A of the tool bit 40A rearwardly passes the bit detent ball 216 (at which point the ball 216 exerts constant radially pressure on the shank 42A, thus inhibiting movement thereof, so the tool bit 40A can't fall out of the tool bit bore 236 inadvertently, even if the bit detent ball 216 isn't seated in a circumferential groove 44A of the tool bit shank 42).
- the sleeve 214 is released from its locked position and the sleeve spring 222 urges the sleeve 214 toward its forward position (in direction of arrow 314), as shown in FIG. 11.
- the inner face 300 of the forward shoulder 301 is thus moved into engagement with the bit detent ball 216 to urge the ball 216 radially inward into the circumferential groove 44A of the tool bit 40A, locking the new tool bit 40A into the chuck 210.
- the inner face 302 on the rear shoulder 298 of the sleeve 214 is moved over the shuttle detent ball 220 to retain it in place adjacent the lower face 274 of the shuttle 224.
- the locked position of the sleeve can be accomplished by longitudinally sliding the sleeve relative to the chuck hub, either from a rearward position to a forward position (as illustrated, for example, by the first embodiment) or from a forward position to a rearward position (as illustrated, for example, by the second embodiment).
- the direction of sleeve motion relative to the chuck hub, the inner working sleeve profile and the placement and configuration of the sleeve spring and detent balls can vary significantly and yet be compatible with the sleeve lock out mechanism disclosed herein. For example, configurations such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,202 and 5,013,194 can be implemented.
- FIGs 12, 12A and 12B An alternate shuttle embodiment is illustrated in FIGs 12, 12A and 12B.
- a shuttle 324 is disposed in a longitudinal tool bit bore 336 in a chuck hub 330.
- a radial bore 388 has a shuttle detent ball 320 movably disposed therein.
- the shuttle 324 is biased forwardly (in direction of arrow 414) by a shuttle spring 326 disposed between a terminating face 338 of the bore 336 and the shuttle 324.
- the shuttle spring 326 has a spring end 360 and a distal bit end 362.
- the spring end 360 includes a spring face 360A which is shaped to engage the terminating face 338 of the bore 336 when the spring 326 is fully compressed.
- a spring bore 364 extends distally into the spring face 360A, coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 324.
- the spring bore 364 terminates in the shuttle 324 along a distal bore shoulder 364A.
- the spring 326 engages at one end the distal bore shoulder 364A and at its other end the terminating face 338, and when the spring face 360A engages the terminating face 338, the spring is compressed within the spring bore 364 (see FIG. 12).
- forward movement of the shuttle within the bore was limited by its interaction with the shuttle detent ball.
- forward movement of the shuttle 324 is limited by the abutment of a retaining clip 425 against an inner radial rim 427 defined in the bore 336 of the hub 330.
- the retaining clip 425 is retained on the spindle 324 in an annular outer groove 429 thereof.
- Adjacent its terminating end 328, the tool bit bore 336 is radially enlarged to define a shuttle travel bore 431 (which has a larger diameter than the tool bit bore 336, and extends between the terminating face 338 and inner annular rim 427).
- the clip 425 is compressed radially into the groove 429 when the shuttle 324 is inserted axially into the tool bit bore 336 and shuttle bore 431. Once the clip 425 has moved rearwardly past the rim 427, it is allowed to expand radially into the shuttle bore 431 and therefor retain the shuttle 324 from movement forwardly past the position shown in FIG. 12A.
- a locking hollow 370 is disposed annularly around the shuttle 324 and includes a forward face 371, forward wall 372, lower face 374, rear wall 375 and rear face 382.
- the forward face 371, lower face 374, and rear face 382 are circumferential surfaces that extend coaxially with the axis of the shuttle 324.
- the forward wall 372 is adjacent to and rearward from the forward face 371 and extends radially inward (towards the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 324) and slightly rearward (towards the driven end 332 of the chuck hub 312).
- the rear wall 375 extends from the lower face 374 radially outwardly and slightly rearwardly.
- the shuttle 324 When the shuttle 324 is in its rearward position (when a tool bit has been fully inserted within the tool bit bore 336), the shuttle ball 320 is received within the locking hollow 370 and engages the lower face 374 and rear wall 375. In this position, the shuttle spring 326 is compressed (FIG. 12) and the sleeve (not shown) has a surface which prevents the shuttle ball 320 from radial outward movement. Once the sleeve has been moved to allow outward radial movement of the shuttle ball 320 (FIG. 12A), the shuttle spring 326 urges the shuttle 324 forwardly in the bores 336 and 431 until it reaches its forward movement limit (FIG.
- the shuttle spring 326 and shuttle 324 thus serve to "pop" the tool bit slightly outwardly from the tool bit bore 336 once radial outward movement of the shuttle ball 320 is allowed, assuming also that the tool bit detent ball if one is employed in such a chuck hub assembly) is also allowed to move outwardly from the circumferential groove of the tool bit.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/165,520 filed November 15, 1999, for "LOCKING QUICK-CHANGE CHUCK ASSEMBLY" by J. Wienhold.
- This invention relates to chuck assemblies for tool bits and, more particularly to a quick release chuck adapted for releasing the bit from the chuck using one hand.
- Tool bits include tools used for drilling, driving, fastener devices such as screws, nuts and bolts, and other work elements requiring rotational motion. The American National Standards Institute has a specification for such tools known as ANSI B 107.4-1982 which refers to driving and spindle ends for portable powered and hand held machines using tool bits. Tool bits in accordance with the standard have a hexagonally configured shank with a circumferential groove formed into the shank. The circumferential groove has a flat, bottom portion disposed between two radiused shoulder portions. The standard reflects a long term and pervasive use of such tool bits and the large inventory of tools available.
- It has long been recognized that the ability to quickly change tool bits in the spindle of the power source is an advantageous feature. Numerous examples exist in the art of quick release tool chucks. Quick release chucks using spring biased sleeves disposed on a spindle are known in prior art.
- One common method of using the spring biased sleeve to retain the tool bit in the chuck is by urging a ball into contact with the circumferential groove of the tool bit and maintaining the ball in position by a shoulder (or cam surface) mounted on the sleeve. The ball is urged into contact with the groove and maintained in position by a compression spring disposed between the spindle and the sleeve. A ring secured to the spindle limits the movement of the sleeve in one direction, and the compression spring limits the movement of the sleeve in the opposite direction.
- The tool bit is prevented from being axially extracted from the chuck by the shoulder. The spring biased shoulder is urged against the ball which locks it against a retaining face. Attempting to extract the tool bit from the bore without release of the detent ball pulls the ball against the retaining face. Therefore the shoulder locks the ball into the circumferential groove. The resulting force prevents extraction of the tool bit from the shank receiving bore. To release the tool bit from the receiving bore the user must retract the sleeve. The retracted sleeve acts to compress the spring which removes the shoulder from the locking position and allows the ball to move out of the circumferential groove of the tool bit.
- Since it is necessary to manually retract the sleeve against the force provided by the compression spring, the user must use both hands to remove the tool bit. One hand is used to provide a constant force to compress the spring, while the other hand removes the bit from the bore. This often causes problems for workers (i.e., construction workers and carpenters) who regularly change drill bits in numerous types of construction projects. The worker is often in a position where it is difficult to change the bit, such as on a ladder.
- Changing the bit may not only be inconvenient, but also dangerous. The worker may attempt to move the sleeve against the compression spring with one hand, using his or her body (or some stationary object) to provide pressure force against the power tool while he or she removes the tool bit with his or her second hand. Alternatively, the worker may attempt to hold onto the power tool handle with one hand, and simultaneously attempt to retract and hold the sleeve in a compressed position while removing the tool bit with the other hand. These awkward methods of changing of the bit often result in the worker losing his or her grip on the bit or on the tool and dropping it. At the very least, dropping the tool or bit causes the worker the inconvenience of having to descend the ladder to retrieve the bit. At worst, the bit could fall onto someone standing below, causing serious harm.
- The invention is a chuck assembly for a tool bit which includes a spindle with a quick release mechanism adapted to allow the user to place the chuck assembly in a lock mode or a loading and unloading position.
- The tool bit includes a shank portion with a circumferential groove in accordance with the ANSI standard. A longitudinally extending bore is provided in the spindle for receiving the shank portion of the tool bit. A first detent ball is disposed in a radially extending bore communicating with the shank receiving bore.
- A spring biased sleeve shoulder is selectively urged against the first detent ball, locking it against a retaining face. Attempted axial extraction of the tool bit from the bore presses the ball against the retaining face, producing an opposite tangential force to the axial retraction force. Manually moving the sleeve shoulder by moving a sleeve compresses the spring and releases the tool bit. A second detent ball is in communication with the sleeve and a spring biased shuttle in the bore. A hollow disposed on the shuttle locks the sleeve in place, preventing the shoulder from locking the first detent ball against the retaining face.
- Attempting to lock the first detent ball into position against the tool bit circumferential groove without retracting the second detent ball from engagement with the sleeve results in the loss of the opposite tangential force to the axial retraction force. When the sleeve is in a retracted position, the tool bit may be axially extracted from the shank receiving bore. The second detent ball must be disengaged from locking the sleeve in a retracted position before the sleeve can lock the tool bit into place.
- The invention can be defined as an improvement to a chuck assembly of the type having a chuck hub with a longitudinally extending bore therein the longitudinally extending bore having a closed end, an open end, and a radially extending bit bore in communication with the longitudinally extending bore, and a bit ball movable in the ball bore between a first retracted position out of the longitudinally extending bore and a second engaged position partially in the longitudinally extending bore. The inventive improvement includes a shuttle slidably disposed in the longitudinally extending bore. The shuttle has a first longitudinally extending portion having a first lateral dimension and a second longitudinally extending portion having a second, smaller lateral dimension. The shuttle is movable longitudinally between a first release position and a second lock position. The inventive improvement also includes a compression spring urging the shuttle away from the closed end of the longitudinally extending bore, and a shuttle ball disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore in the chuck hub which is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore of the chuck hub. The shuttle ball is movable in the shuttle ball bore between a first retracted position where the shuttle ball contacts the first longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts the second longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle.
- In one preferred embodiment, when the shuttle ball is in its second extended position, it extends further into the longitudinally extending bore than the bit ball, when the bit ball is in its second engaged position.
- Preferably, the improved chuck hub also includes a sleeve movable relative to the chuck hub between a first shuttle release position and a second shuttle lock position. The sleeve has a first shuttle ball contact surface having a first radial dimension and a second shuttle ball contact surface having a second smaller radial dimension. The first contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in its first shuttle release position and the shuttle ball is in its first retracted position, and the second contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in the second shuttle locked position and the shuttle ball is in its second extended position.
- The sleeve is preferably movable longitudinally relative to the chuck hub. The second shuttle ball contact surface on the sleeve is preferably an inner circumferential surface. In a preferred embodiment, the chuck hub has an outer circumferential surface adjacent the shuttle ball bore, and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve has a slightly larger diameter than the outer circumferential surface of the chuck hub.
- The present invention can also be defined as a locking chuck assembly for a tool bit shank of the type which has a circumferential groove disposed thereabout. The chuck assembly includes a chuck hub having a forward face and a fixed radial extension. A longitudinal bore is provided in the hub for receiving the tool bit shank, with the longitudinal bore having a terminating face. A shuttle is disposed in the bore. The shuttle has a bit end, a spring end, a forward lower face and a rearward interim face, and the shuttle is slidable along the longitudinal bore between a rearward position and a forward position. A shuttle spring is disposed between the spring end of the shuttle and the terminating face of the bore, with the shuttle spring acting to bias the shuttle to its forward position. A rear bore extends radially through the hub proximate the terminating face of the longitudinal bore so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore, and a shuttle detent ball is disposed in the rear bore so as to engage the shuttle. A front bore extends radially through the hub proximate the forward face so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore, and a bit detent ball is disposed in the front bore so as to engage the circumferential groove of the tool bit shank. A sleeve is disposed annularly about the chuck hub, and is slidable along the chuck hub between a tool bit loaded position and a load/unload position. A sleeve spring is disposed between the fixed radial extension of the hub and the sleeve to bias the sleeve toward its tool bit loaded position. When the sleeve is disposed in its tool bit loaded position, the shuttle is positioned in its rearward position such that the shuttle spring is compressed and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with the forward lower face on the shuttle so as to prevent the shuttle spring from moving the shuttle, while allowing the sleeve spring to bias the sleeve. When the sleeve is disposed in its load/unload position, the shuttle is positioned in its forward position such that the shuttle spring is less compressed than when the shuttle is in its rearward position and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with the rearward interim face on the shuttle and the sleeve is in a position to allow the shuttle spring to bias the shuttle away from the terminating face of the bore.
- The present invention will be further explained with reference to the drawing figures referenced below, wherein like structure is referred to by like numerals throughout the several views.
- FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a first fitted shank portion from a tool bit extended into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck in the loading and unloading position.
- FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the chuck assembly in the open position.
- FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a second fitted shank portion of a tool bit extended partially into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with the second fitted shank portion extended into the chuck assembly to engage the shuttle.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sleeve portion of the inventive chuck.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the chuck assembly of the present invention showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a first fitted shank portion from a tool bit extended into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7, showing the quick release feature of the chuck in the loading and unloading position.
- FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the chuck assembly in the open position.
- FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with a second fitted shank portion of a tool bit extending partially into the chuck assembly.
- FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the chuck assembly of FIG. 7 showing the quick release feature of the chuck, with the second fitted shank portion extended into the chuck assembly to engage the shuttle.
- FIG. 12 shows an alternative shuttle embodiment in its rearward position.
- FIG. 12A shows the shuttle embodiment of FIG. 12 in its forward position.
- FIG. 12B shows the retaining clip used in the embodiment of FIGs. 12 and 12A.
- While the above-identified drawings set forth preferred embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. This disclosure presents illustrative embodiments of the present invention by the way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.
- The present invention is a quick change chuck for a tool bit illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The
chuck 10 includes achuck hub 12, asleeve 14, abit detent ball 16, ashuttle detent ball 20, asleeve spring 22, ashuttle 24 and ashuttle spring 26. - The
chuck hub 12 includes a forwarddistal end 30 and a drivenproximal end 32. The drivenend 32 is shaped to form a spindle 34 (typically having a hexagonally shaped cross-section) to provide a connection to the power tool. Theforward end 30 terminates in aforward face 30A. Ahexagonal bore 36 extends perpendicularly into theforward face 30A and axially towards the drivenend 32 of thehub 12. The hexagonal bore 36 is centered in theforward face 30A, is substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of thehub 12 and is shaped to admit a standard quickrelease tool bit 40. Thebore 36 includes aninner wall 37 and terminates in thehub 12 along a terminatingface 38. Preferably, the terminatingface 38 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thehub 12, although a person skilled in the art would realize the terminatingface 38 may have a concavity (as shown) due to the boring process. - The
tool bit 40 includes a hexagonally shapedshank 42. Theshank 42 includes acircumferential groove 44 near a proximal end 45 of theshank 42. Thecircumferential groove 44 includes three distinct surface profiles, including a radially inwardly extending rearradiused shoulder 46, a centered flat portion 48 and a radially inwardly extending forward radiusedshoulder 50. - The
shuttle 24 is coaxial with thechuck hub 12 and is slidably disposed in thehexagonal bore 36, between theshank 42 of thetool bit 40 and the terminatingface 38 of thebore 36. Theshuttle 24 has aproximal spring end 60 and adistal bit end 62. Thespring end 60 includes a spring face 60A which is preferably shaped so as to contiguously engage the terminatingface 38 of thebore 36. Preferably, a spring bore 64 extends distally into the spring face 60A, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24 (and the hub 12). The spring bore 64 terminates in theshuttle 24 along adistal bore shoulder 64A. Thebore shoulder 64A is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24 (although, as shown, a concavity may exist due to the boring process). The bit end 62 of theshuttle 24 includes abit face 62A substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thehub 12. The bit face 62A is shaped to engage the proximal end 45 of theshank 42 of thetool bit 40. - A protrusion bore 66 is disposed perpendicularly into the bit face 62A, and extends through the
shuttle 24 into the spring bore 64. The protrusion bore 66 is an optional feature providing clearance for a protrusion disposed on the proximal end of a non-standard tool bit (not shown). Non-standard bits utilizing protrusions are known in the art, and the protrusion may serve a variety of purposes (for example, the protrusion may provide a hex wrench for adjustment of features integral to the tool bit). Although the protrusion bore 66 is depicted as being cylindrical, a person skilled in the art would realize that other bore shapes (i.e., hexagonal) can be used. Additionally, the protrusion bore 66 need not be in communication with the spring bore 64, and may be omitted from thechuck 10, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. - The
shuttle spring 26 is disposed in the spring bore 64. One end of theshuttle spring 26 engages the terminatingface 38 of thehexagonal bore 36 and the other end engages thebore shoulder 64A of the spring bore 64. Theshuttle spring 26 is of the compression spring type, so that thespring 26 urges theshuttle 24 axially away from the terminatingface 38 of thebore 36 and towards theforward end 30 of thechuck hub 12. - A locking hollow 70 is disposed annularly around the
shuttle 24. Although a person skilled in the art would realize the locking hollow 70 can have any one of several profiles, the preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 1. The locking hollow 70 includes aforward face 71 disposed in the bit end 62 of theshuttle 24 and contiguous with theinner wall 37 of thebore 36. Aforward wall 72 is adjacent to and rearward from theforward face 71. Theforward wall 72 extends from theforward face 71 radially inward (towards the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 24) and slightly rearward (towards the drivenend 32 of the hub 12). Rearward from and adjacent to theforward face 72 is alower face 74. Thelower face 74 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of theshuttle 24. Aninterim wall 76 extends from thelower face 74 radially outward and slightly rearward. Rearward from and adjacent to theinterim wall 76 is aninterim face 78. Theinterim face 78 extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of theshuttle 24 at a position outward from thelower face 74. Theinterim face 78 extends rearwardly from theinterim wall 76. Arear wall 80 extends from theinterim face 78 radially outward and slightly rearward, terminating at theinner wall 37 of thebore 36. A rear face 82 is substantially in contiguous engagement with theinner wall 37 of thebore 36. - Front and rear
radially extending bores hexagonal bore 36, extending from theinner wall 37 of the hexagonal bore 36 through thehub 12 to an outercylindrical surface 90 of thehub 12. Theouter surface 90 extends the length of thechuck hub 12. Thebit detent ball 16 and theshuttle detent ball 20 are disposed in theradially extending bores balls radially extending bores balls bores bit detent ball 16 is able to extend into thehexagonal bore 36, coming into contact with thetool bit 40. Theshuttle detent ball 20 is able to extend into thehexagonal bore 36, coming into contact with the locking hollow 70 of theshuttle 24.Shoulders tool bit shank 42 to prevent thebit detent ball 16 from passing completely into thehexagonal bore 36. - The
bit detent ball 16 and theshuttle detent ball 20 are held in their respective positions of extending into the hexagonal bore 36 by themoveable sleeve 14 disposed around the outercylindrical surface 90. Thesleeve 14 is coaxially mounted relative to thehub 12. Thesleeve 14 is disposable between a rearward (or "locking" or "tool bit loaded") position and a forward (or "retracted" or "load/unload") position. To hold thebit detent ball 16 in place, the moveable sleeve 14 (in the preferred embodiment) must be in a maximum rearward position (towards the drivenend 32 of the chuck hub 12). Thesleeve 14 is biased towards the rearward position by thesleeve spring 22. Thesleeve spring 22 is held in arear cavity 94 of themoveable sleeve 14. Therear cavity 94 is disposed between thesleeve 14 and the hub outercylindrical surface 90. Thesleeve spring 22 bears against a surface such as a washer (or c-clip) 96 mounted around the outercylindrical surface 90 on one end and arear shoulder 98 of thesleeve 14 on the other end. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that the washer or c-clip could be fixed relative to thechuck hub 12 by any number of methods, including welding it in place, disposing it in a groove formed in thechuck hub 12 or abutting it against a shoulder of thechuck hub 12. Additionally, thewasher 96 can be an integral part of thechuck hub 12. - Forward longitudinal movement of the
moveable sleeve 14 relative to thehub 12 compresses thesleeve spring 22 between thewasher 96 and the rear shoulder 98 (discussed further with respect to FIG. 2). Preferably, anotch 99 is disposed in therear shoulder 98 to seat thesleeve spring 22 on therear shoulder 98. Thus, thesleeve spring 22 biases themoveable sleeve 14 rearward, bringing aninner face 100 offorward shoulder 101 into contact with thebit detent ball 16 and causing aninner face 102 of therear shoulder 98 to interact with theshuttle detent ball 20. - The
forward shoulder 101 urges thedetent ball 16 radially inward into contact with the retainingshoulders forward shoulder 101 thus holds thebit detent ball 16 against thetool bit 40 in thehexagonal bore 36. Theforward shoulder 101 has a profile which locks and holds thebit detent ball 16 in place. The use of a shoulder profile to hold a detent ball in the circumferential groove of a tool bit is known in the art and is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,900,202 and 5,013,194, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. - The
forward shoulder 101 applies a force to thebit detent ball 16 normal to the longitudinal axis of thehub 12. The walls of the front bore 86 as well as a portion of theforward shoulder 101 apply a force to thebit detent ball 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis of thehub 12. These longitudinal forces, along with frictional forces between thehub 12, theball 16 and thebit 40, prevent rotation of thebit detent ball 16. Locking the position of thebit detent ball 16 thus fixes the position of thetool bit 40 in thehexagonal bore 36. Thecircumferential groove 44 is substantially aligned with the front bore 86 when theshank 42 of thetool bit 40 is fully admitted to thehexagonal bore 36. At such time, theshank 42 abuts the bit face 62A of theshuttle 24. Forward or outward axial forces applied to thetool bit 40 bring the rearradiused shoulder 46 into contact with thebit detent ball 16. Preferably, the radius of the radiusedshoulder 46 is substantially the same as the radius of thebit detent ball 16 and accordingly theball 16 makes contact along the entirety of theshoulder 46. Since theball 16 is locked in place as described, theball 16 transmits an opposite responsive axial force to the forward or outward axial forces, preventing the extraction of thebit 40. It would be understood by a person skilled in the art that the size of the bit detent ball 16 (as well as the shuttle detent ball 20) can be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. - The
rear shoulder 98 has afirst portion 103 which extends from thesleeve 14 through therear cavity 94 and terminates at the outercylindrical surface 90 of thehub 12, at theinner face 102. Asecond portion 106 of therear shoulder 98 is integral to thefirst portion 103 and disposed adjacent and rearwardly from thefirst portion 103. Thesecond portion 106 extends from thesleeve 14 and terminates at anouter face 108. Theouter face 108 is disposed radially outward from theinner face 102. Thus, acavity 111 is created between theouter surface 90 of thehub 12 and theouter face 108 of therear shoulder 98. Retainingface 110 extends radially from theinner face 102 to theouter face 108. When thesleeve 14 is in its rearward biased position, theinner face 102 is engaged with theshuttle detent ball 20. Theshuttle detent ball 20 is disposed into the hexagonal bore 36 into contact with thelower face 74 andinterim wall 76 of theshuttle 24. In the tool bit loaded mode of FIG. 1, theshuttle 24 is biased in a rearward position, compressing theshuttle spring 26. - The
shuttle detent ball 20 acts to prevent theshuttle spring 26 from urging theshuttle 24 forward. Theinterim wall 76 transfers the axial spring force to theball 20. Theball 20 is prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction of thehub 12 by awall 88A of therear bore 88 and prevented from moving normally to the longitudinal axis of thehub 12 by theinner face 102 of therear shoulder 98 and thelower face 74 of theshuttle 24. - The
tool bit 40 is removed from thechuck 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thesleeve 14 is moved forward in the direction ofarrow 112 by the operator, compressing thesleeve spring 22. Theforward shoulder 101 is disengaged from thebit detent ball 16. Thus, theball 16 is free to rotate as well as move radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 by moving radially out of the front bore 86. - Additionally, the
forward movement 112 of thesleeve 14 moves theshuttle detent ball 20 radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 through therear bore 88. Thefirst portion 103 of therear shoulder 98 is moved forward relative to therear bore 88, so that theinner face 102 no longer prevents theshuttle detent ball 20 from moving radially outward from thehexagonal bore 36. Theouter face 108 of therear shoulder 98 is substantially aligned radially outward from therear bore 88. Theshuttle detent ball 20 is free to travel into thecavity 111 formed between theouter face 108 and theouter surface 90 of thechuck hub 12. - The
shuttle spring 26 urges theshuttle 24 forward and theshuttle detent ball 20 is pushed radially outward, through therear bore 88 by theinterim wall 76. Theball 20 moves radially outwardly until it encounters theouter face 108 of therear shoulder 98. Although theball 20 moves outwardly enough for theinterim wall 76 to pass forward of theball 20, theball 20 is stopped by theouter face 108 of therear shoulder 98 before it can pass completely out of thehexagonal bore 36. Theshuttle 24 is thus free to move forward until therear wall 80 strikes the shuttle detent ball 20 (although other walls or protrusions may be used to stop the forward travel of the shuttle, as is discussed with respect to FIGs. 12-12B). The forward movement of theshuttle 24 is halted by thedetent ball 20, and the axial force of theshuttle spring 26 on theshuttle detent ball 20 is countered in the axial direction by thewall 88A of therear bore 88 and in the normal direction by theouter face 108 of therear shoulder 98. Theshuttle 24 is thereby prevented from being pushed out of the hexagonal bore 36 by theshuttle spring 26 and is disposed in a "forward" position. - Once the
sleeve 14 is moved by the operator forward 112 so that theshuttle detent ball 20 is able to move outward into therear shoulder cavity 111, the operator can let go of thesleeve 14. Thesleeve 14 is urged rearward in direction of arrow 114 (FIG. 2) by thesleeve spring 22. However, retainingface 110 engages theshuttle detent ball 20, and prevents thesleeve 14 from returning to the rearward position (its position in FIG. 1). The longitudinal force of thesleeve spring 22 is transferred by the retainingface 110 of therear shoulder 98 to theshuttle detent ball 20. The longitudinal force of thesleeve spring 22 on theshuttle detent ball 20 is countered longitudinally by thewall 88A of therear bore 88 and normally by theinterim face 78 of theshuttle 24. Thechuck 10 is thereby placed in load/unload mode, with thesleeve 14 locked in the forward position. - In this mode (FIG. 2) the operator can pull the
bit 40 from thehexagonal bore 36. Since thesleeve 14 is locked into place relative to thehub 12, the operator may use the same hand used to slide thesleeve 14 forward as is used to withdraw thebit 40, preventing the likelihood of dropping thebit 40 or the power tool. Preferably, the forward movement of theshuttle 24 pushes thetool bit 40 partially out of thehexagonal bore 36. Moving thetool bit 40 axially out of the chuck 10 (in direction of arrow 112) displaces thebit detent ball 16 radially outwardly as theball 16 rides up the rearradiused shoulder 46 out of thecircumferential groove 44 and onto arear part 43 of theshank 42. Thetool bit 40 is now easily removed from thehexagonal bore 36, allowing replacement of thetool bit 40 with the shank of another tool bit. - Preferably, an elastomeric O-
ring 116 is disposed annularly around thehub 12 between thewasher 96 and thebit detent ball 16. The O-ring 16 is uncompressed when thebit detent ball 16 is disposed radially into thehexagonal bore 36. When the operator extracts thetool bit 40 from thehexagonal bore 36, the O-ring 116 is compressed as thedetent ball 16 rides the rearradiused shoulder 46 onto therear part 43 of theshank 42. Thus, when thesleeve 14 is disposed in the forward locked position (FIG. 2), thebit detent ball 16 is urged into (but not locked into) the hexagonal bore 36 by the O-ring. The O-ring 116 (through its action on the ball 16) creates some frictional resistance to the axial withdrawal of thebit 40, and thus prevents thetool bit 40 from accidentally sliding out of the hexagonal bore 36 (due to gravity, etc.), once again preventing accidental dropping of thebit 40. Therefore, thetool bit 40 must be extracted by the operator in order to remove thetool bit 40 from thebore 36. - Once the
bit 40 has been extracted from thehexagonal bore 36, the O-ring 116 releasably urges thebit detent ball 16 radially inward into thehexagonal bore 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3. - As illustrated in FIG. 4, inserting a
different tool bit 40A into thechuck 10 once again requires the operator to apply axial force (in direction of arrow 114) to the tool bit 40A to overcome the radially inward force applied to thebit detent ball 16 by the elastomeric O-ring 116. Atapered end 118 of thebit 40A pushes theball 16 radially out of the hexagonal bore 36 (against the bias of the O-ring 116) to permit insertion of thetool bit 40A. Theshank 42A of thetool bit 40A is extended into the hexagonal bore 36 (in the direction of arrow 114). The tool bit 40A is extended until it engages the bit face 62A of theshuttle 24 as illustrated in FIG. 5. As the operator continues to apply axial force to the tool bit 40A to overcome the compression force of theshuttle spring 26, theshuttle 24 is urged proximally (as arrow 114) until thelower face 74 of theshuttle 24 is aligned radially inward from therear bore 88. - The
sleeve spring 22 then urges theshuttle detent ball 20 radially inward through therear bore 88 until it engages thelower face 74. Theshuttle detent ball 20 is moved into therear bore 88 inward from theinner face 102 of therear shoulder 98 by the retainingface 110. Thus, thesleeve 14 is released from its locked position (FIG. 3), and thesleeve spring 22 urges thesleeve 14 into its rearward position (FIG. 5). Theinner face 100 of theforward shoulder 101 forces thebit detent ball 16 radially inward into thecircumferential groove 44A of thetool bit 40A, locking the new tool bit 40A into thechuck 10. Thus, multiple tool bits can be inserted, locked into place, and removed by the operator using one hand. - The
inventive chuck 10 allows the operator to move thesleeve 14 forward with one hand where it is locked in place. He or she can then remove and insert the tool bits with the same hand used to move thesleeve 14 forward. This enables the operator to keep his or her other hand on the power tool used to drive thechuck 10, preventing the tool bits or the power tool from accidentally being dropped. - An alternate embodiment of the
sleeve 14A is illustrated in FIG. 6. Anannular rubber grip 120 can be inserted into anannular groove 122 disposed into thesleeve 14A. Therubber grip 120 provides the operator with a more ergonomic surface to grasp while moving thesleeve 14A forward when releasing the tool bit. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, the present invention is directed to a chuck assembly with a spring-biased shuttle disposed in the longitudinal tool bit bore of the chuck assembly, and even more particularly, to the combination of such a shuttle and a sleeve to "place" the sleeve in a locked position against a spring biasing force. Fixing the sleeve position in this fashion allows the operator of the chuck to split the removal or insertion of the tool bit into two distinct operations, namely 1) moving the sleeve and 2) removing (or inserting) the tool bit into the chuck. Further, once the tool bit has been inserted, the sleeve is automatically placed in position to lock the tool bit into the hub, by operation of the biased shuttle, biased sleeve, and their associated detent balls.
- The preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG's 1-5 can be defined as an improvement to a chuck assembly of the type having a chuck hub with a
longitudinally extending bore 36 therein the longitudinally extending bore having aclosed end 38, anopen end 30, and a radially extending bit ball bore 86 in communication with thelongitudinally extending bore 36, and abit ball 16 movable in the bit ball bore 86 between a first retracted position out of thelongitudinally extending bore 36 and a second engaged position partially in thelongitudinally extending bore 36. The inventive improvement includes ashuttle 24 slidably disposed in thelongitudinally extending bore 36. Theshuttle 24 has a firstlongitudinally extending portion 78 having a first lateral dimension and a secondlongitudinally extending portion 74 having a second, smaller lateral dimension. Theshuttle 24 is movable longitudinally between a first release position and a second lock position. The inventive improvement also includes acompression spring 26 urging theshuttle 24 away from theclosed end 38 of thelongitudinally extending bore 36, and ashuttle ball 20 disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore 88 in thechuck hub 12 which is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore 36 of thechuck hub 12. Theshuttle ball 20 is movable in the shuttle ball bore 88 between a first retracted position where theshuttle ball 20 contacts the first longitudinally extendingportion 78 of theshuttle 24 and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts the second longitudinally extendingportion 74 of theshuttle 24. - In one preferred embodiment, when the
shuttle ball 20 is in its second extended position, it extends further into thelongitudinally extending bore 36 than thebit ball 16, when thebit ball 16 is in its second engaged position. - Preferably, the improved chuck hub also includes a
sleeve 14 movable relative to thechuck hub 12 between a first shuttle release position and a second shuttle lock position. Thesleeve 14 has a first shuttleball contact surface 108 having a first radial dimension and a second shuttleball contact surface 102 having a second smaller radial dimension. Thefirst contact surface 108 engages theshuttle ball 20 when the sleeve is in its first shuttle release position and theshuttle ball 20 is in its first retracted position, and thesecond contact surface 102 engages theshuttle ball 20 when thesleeve 14 is in the second shuttle locked position and theshuttle ball 20 is in its second extended position. - The
sleeve 14 is preferably movable longitudinally relative to thechuck hub 12. The second shuttleball contact surface 102 on thesleeve 14 is preferably an inner circumferential surface. In a preferred embodiment, thechuck hub 12 has an outercircumferential surface 90 adjacent the shuttle ball bore 88, and the inner circumferential surface of thesleeve 14 has a slightly larger diameter than the outercircumferential surface 90 of thechuck hub 12. - The present invention can also be defined as a locking
chuck assembly 10 for atool bit shank 42 of the type which has acircumferential groove 44 disposed thereabout. Thechuck assembly 10 includes achuck hub 12 having aforward face 30A and a fixedradial extension 96. Alongitudinal bore 36 is provided in thechuck hub 12 for receiving thetool bit shank 42, with thelongitudinal bore 36 having a terminatingface 38. Ashuttle 24 is disposed in thebore 36. Theshuttle 24 has abit end 62, aspring end 60, a forwardlower face 74 and a rearwardinterim face 78, and the shuttle is slidable along thelongitudinal bore 36 between a rearward position and a forward position. Ashuttle spring 26 is disposed between thespring end 60 of theshuttle 24 and the terminatingface 38 of thelongitudinal bore 36, with theshuttle spring 26 acting to bias theshuttle 24 to its forward position. Arear bore 88 extends radially through thechuck hub 12 proximate the terminatingface 38 of thelongitudinal bore 36 so as to be in communication with thelongitudinal bore 36, and ashuttle detent ball 20 is disposed in therear bore 88 so as to engage theshuttle 24. A front bore 86 extends radially through thehub 12 proximate theforward face 30A so as to be in communication with thelongitudinal bore 36, and abit detent ball 16 is disposed in the front bore 86 so as to engage thecircumferential groove 44 of thetool bit shank 42. Asleeve 14 is disposed annularly about thechuck hub 12, and is slidable along thechuck hub 12 between a tool bit loaded position and a load/unload position. Asleeve spring 22 is disposed between the fixedradial extension 96 of thechuck hub 12 and thesleeve 14 to bias thesleeve 14 toward its tool bit loaded position. When thesleeve 14 is disposed in its tool bit loaded position, theshuttle 24 is positioned in its rearward position such that theshuttle spring 26 is compressed and theshuttle detent ball 20 is engaged with the forwardlower face 74 on theshuttle 24 so as to prevent theshuttle spring 26 from moving theshuttle 24, while allowing thesleeve spring 22 to bias thesleeve 14. When thesleeve 14 is disposed in its load/unload position, theshuttle 24 is positioned in its forward position such that theshuttle spring 26 is less compressed than when the shuttle is in its rearward position and theshuttle detent ball 20 is engaged with the rearwardinterim face 78 on theshuttle 24 and thesleeve 14 is in a position to allow theshuttle spring 26 to bias theshuttle 24 away from the terminatingface 38 of thelongitudinal bore 36. - Another alternate embodiment of the invention is shown as
chuck 210 in FIG. 7. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-6, thechuck 210 includes achuck hub 212, asleeve 214, abit detent ball 216, ashuttle detent ball 220, asleeve spring 222, ashuttle 224 and ashuttle spring 226. - As was described with respect to previous embodiments, the
detent ball 216 and theshuttle detent ball 220 are held in their respective positions of extending into a (preferably hexagonal) tool bit bore 236 by themovable sleeve 214 disposed around an outercylindrical surface 290 of thechuck hub 212. In this embodiment, however, the shuttle assembly operates in the same manner but the structure is slightly modified so that the orientation for sleeve movement relative to the chuck hub is reversed (the rearward position of the sleeve is the "retracted" or "load/unload" position and the forward position of the sleeve is the "locking" or "tool bit loaded" position). To accomplish this, asleeve spring 222 is disposed between aradial face 300A of aforward shoulder 301 of thesleeve 214 and a chuck hub radial face 296A, such as awasher 296 mounted about the outercylindrical surface 90 of thechuck hub 212. Thesleeve spring 222 thus biases thesleeve 214 toward aforward end 230 of thechuck hub 212. Rearward longitudinal movement of thesleeve 214 relative to thehub 212 compresses thesleeve spring 222 between thewasher 296 and theforward shoulder 301. An annular notch 299 (shown in phantom in FIG. 7) may optionally be provided in theforward shoulder 301 to seat thesleeve spring 222 on theforward shoulder 301. - The
sleeve spring 222 biases themovable sleeve 214 forward, bringing an angularinner face 300 of theforward shoulder 301 into contact with thebit detent ball 216 and causing an innercircumferential face 302 of arear shoulder 298 to interact with theshuttle detent ball 220. Theforward shoulder 301 urges thedetent ball 216 radially inward into contact with the retainingshoulders chuck hub 212, and theball 216 extends partially into the tool bit bore 236. When atool bit 40 is in the tool bit bore 236 (as shown in FIG. 7), theball 216 is received within thecircumferential groove 44 of thetool bit shank 42 and engages therear radius shoulder 46 thereof (thus locking the tool bit from longitudinal movement relative to the tool bit bore 236). - In this embodiment, the
forward shoulder 301 is disposed rearwardly of the front bore 286 (as opposed to being disposed forward of the front bore 86 in the first embodiment). Thus, as thesleeve 214 is biased by thesleeve spring 222 in a forward direction (or towards theforward end 230 of the hub212) theforward shoulder 301 moves forwardly to engage the detent ball 216 (as opposed to rearwardly as was described in the previous embodiment). The locking in position of thedetent ball 216 so as to fix the position of thetool bit 40 in place in thechuck hub 212 occurs as was described with respect to the first embodiment. Therear shoulder 298 includes ainner face 302 and a retainingface 310. Theinner face 302 is disposed radially inwardly in relation to the retainingface 310. When thesleeve 214 is biased to its forward position, theinner face 302 is engaged with the shuttle detent ball 220 (see FIG. 7). Theshuttle detent ball 220 is disposed in a rear radial bore 288 and is urged into the tool bit bore 236 and into contact with alower face 274 on theshuttle 224, in the same fashion as was described with respect to the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, theinner face 302 is rearward of the retaining face 310 (towards adriven end 232 of the hub 212) as opposed to the previously described embodiment, where the retainingface 110 was disposed rearward of theinner face 102. It becomes apparent, therefore, that by simply reversing the relative positions of the surfaces which engage the bit detent ball and the shuttle detent ball and by switching the biasing orientation of the sleeve spring so as to bias the sleeve forwardly instead of rearwardly, the basic structure of the inventive locking quick-change chuck assembly is retained, although the direction the sleeve must be translated to operate the chuck is reversed. The shuttle operates the same in both instances. - To illustrate, removing the
tool bit 40 from thechuck 210 is illustrated in FIG. 8. Thesleeve 214 is moved rearwardly in the direction ofarrow 312 by the operator, compressing thesleeve spring 222. Theinner face 300 of theforward shoulder 301 of thesleeve 214 is disengaged from thebit detent ball 216. Thus, theball 216 is not constrained from rotation or radial movement out of the tool bit bore 236 (radially within the front bore 286) by thesleeve 214. - Additionally, the
rearward movement 312 of thesleeve 214 allows theshuttle detent ball 220 to move radially out of the tool bit bore 236 through therear bore 288. Therear shoulder 298 of thesleeve 214 is moved rearwardly relative to therear bore 288 so that theinner face 302 thereof no longer prevents theshuttle detent ball 220 from moving radially outward from the tool bit bore 236. The retaining face 310 (which may also include a horizontal portion similar to theouter face 108 described with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1) is defined to allow theshuttle detent ball 220 to travel into acavity 311 formed between the retainingface 310 and theouter surface 290 of thechuck hub 212. - The
shuttle spring 226 urges theshuttle 224 forward (to the position shown in FIG. 8) which in turn causes theshuttle 224 to push theshuttle detent ball 220 radially outward, through the rear bore 288 (as was described with respect to the first embodiment). Thedetent ball 220 moves radially outwardly until it encounters the retainingface 310 of therear shoulder 298 of thesleeve 214. Theball 220 is stopped by the retainingface 310 of therear shoulder 298 before it can pass completely out of the tool bit bore 236 and therear bore 288. Theshuttle 224 is free to move forward (in the same manner as was described with respect to the previous embodiment) until it rests on aninterim face 278 of theshuttle 224. - Once the
sleeve 214 is moved by the operator rearward 312 so that theshuttle detent ball 220 is able to move outward into therear shoulder cavity 311, the operator can let go of thesleeve 214. Thesleeve 214 continues to be urged forwardly (in direction of arrow 314) by thesleeve spring 222. However, the retainingface 310 on thesleeve 214 engages theshuttle detent ball 220 and prevents thesleeve 214 from returning to the forward position (its position in FIG. 7). The longitudinal bias force of thesleeve spring 222 on thesleeve 214 is transferred by the retainingface 310 of therear shoulder 298 to theshuttle detent ball 220. The force of thesleeve spring 222 on theshuttle detent ball 220 is countered longitudinally by awall 288A of therear bore 288 and radially (in the normal direction) by theshuttle 224. Theinventive chuck 210 is thereby placed in a tool bit load/unload mode, with theshuttle 224 biased to a forward position and thesleeve 214 locked in the rearward position (see FIG. 8). - Preferably, the forward movement of the
shuttle 224 pushes thetool bit 40 partially out of the tool bit bore 236. Moving thetool bit 40 axially out of the chuck 210 (in the direction of arrow 314) displaces thebit detent ball 216 radially outwardly as theball 216 rides up therear radius shoulder 46 of thecircumferential groove 44 of thetool bit shank 42 and onto therear part 43 of the shank 42 (such as described previously). - The
bit detent ball 216 is biased radially inwardly in thefront bore 286. An elastomeric O-ring 316 is preferably disposed annularly about thehub 212 adjacent of thefront bore 286. The O-ring 316 is disposed forward of the front bore 286 (versus rearward of the forward bore 86 in the first described embodiment) so as to not interfere with the movement of theforward shoulder 301 of thesleeve 214. Thebit detent ball 216 and its related operative components thus serve to lock thetool bit 40 in place in theinventive chuck 210, and also to provide frictional resistance to longitudinal movement of thetool bit 40 along the tool bit bore 236 (by riding on theshank 42 of the tool bit 40). It would be understood by a person skilled in the art, however, that other methods for creating frictional resistance to the axial insertion or withdrawal of thetool bit 40 are known in the art and may be incorporated into the present invention without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. For example, additional bores and detent balls may be inserted into thehexagonal bore 236 to provide this described resistance, as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,527, which is incorporated by reference herein. - Once the
tool bit 40 has been extracted from the tool bit bore 236, the O-ring 316 urges thedetent ball 216 radially inward into the tool bit bore 236, as is illustrated in FIG. 9. Thesleeve 214 remains in its rearward position, locked in place by the position of theshuttle detent ball 220, which in turn is held in place by thebiased shuttle 224. - As illustrated in FIG. 10, inserting a
different tool bit 40A into thechuck 210 once again requires the operator to apply an axial force (in direction of arrow 312) to the tool bit 40A to overcome the radially inward force applied to thebit detent ball 216 by the elastomeric O-ring 316 (or other frictional method as discussed previously). The tool bit 40A is freely movable longitudinally within the tool bit bore 236 until ashank 42A of thetool bit 40A rearwardly passes the bit detent ball 216 (at which point theball 216 exerts constant radially pressure on theshank 42A, thus inhibiting movement thereof, so thetool bit 40A can't fall out of the tool bit bore 236 inadvertently, even if thebit detent ball 216 isn't seated in acircumferential groove 44A of the tool bit shank 42). - As the
tool bit 40A is pushed further into the tool bit bore 236, it engages the shuttle 224 (as was described in the previous embodiment with respect to FIG. 4). Theshuttle 224 is then urged rearwardly (towards thedriven end 232 of the chuck hub 212) until thelower face 274 of theshuttle 224 is aligned radially inwardly from the rear bore 288 (as shown in FIG.11). At this point, thesleeve spring 222 urges theshuttle detent ball 220 radially inwardly toward thelower face 274 of theshuttle 220 via the retainingface 310. As theshuttle detent ball 220 moves radially inward, thesleeve 214 is released from its locked position and thesleeve spring 222 urges thesleeve 214 toward its forward position (in direction of arrow 314), as shown in FIG. 11. Theinner face 300 of theforward shoulder 301 is thus moved into engagement with thebit detent ball 216 to urge theball 216 radially inward into thecircumferential groove 44A of thetool bit 40A, locking the new tool bit 40A into thechuck 210. Likewise, theinner face 302 on therear shoulder 298 of thesleeve 214 is moved over theshuttle detent ball 220 to retain it in place adjacent thelower face 274 of theshuttle 224. The components are all held in these relative positions until the operator moves the sleeve 214 (against the bias of sleeve spring 222) to remove or change thetool bit 40A. Thus, the locked position of the sleeve can be accomplished by longitudinally sliding the sleeve relative to the chuck hub, either from a rearward position to a forward position (as illustrated, for example, by the first embodiment) or from a forward position to a rearward position (as illustrated, for example, by the second embodiment). The direction of sleeve motion relative to the chuck hub, the inner working sleeve profile and the placement and configuration of the sleeve spring and detent balls can vary significantly and yet be compatible with the sleeve lock out mechanism disclosed herein. For example, configurations such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,202 and 5,013,194 can be implemented. - Additionally, while it would be understood that the retaining faces and surfaces described previously create preferred profiles for the shuttle and sleeve of the inventive tool chuck, other profiles may be used. For example, an alternate shuttle embodiment is illustrated in FIGs 12, 12A and 12B. A
shuttle 324 is disposed in a longitudinal tool bit bore 336 in a chuck hub 330. Aradial bore 388 has ashuttle detent ball 320 movably disposed therein. Theshuttle 324 is biased forwardly (in direction of arrow 414) by ashuttle spring 326 disposed between a terminatingface 338 of thebore 336 and theshuttle 324. Theshuttle spring 326 has aspring end 360 and adistal bit end 362. Thespring end 360 includes aspring face 360A which is shaped to engage the terminatingface 338 of thebore 336 when thespring 326 is fully compressed. Aspring bore 364 extends distally into thespring face 360A, coaxially with the longitudinal axis of theshuttle 324. The spring bore 364 terminates in theshuttle 324 along adistal bore shoulder 364A. Thespring 326 engages at one end thedistal bore shoulder 364A and at its other end the terminatingface 338, and when thespring face 360A engages the terminatingface 338, the spring is compressed within the spring bore 364 (see FIG. 12). In the above described shuttle embodiments, forward movement of the shuttle within the bore was limited by its interaction with the shuttle detent ball. In this embodiment, forward movement of the shuttle 324 (in direction of arrow 414) is limited by the abutment of a retainingclip 425 against an innerradial rim 427 defined in thebore 336 of the hub 330. The retainingclip 425 is retained on thespindle 324 in an annular outer groove 429 thereof. Adjacent its terminating end 328, the tool bit bore 336 is radially enlarged to define a shuttle travel bore 431 (which has a larger diameter than the tool bit bore 336, and extends between the terminatingface 338 and inner annular rim 427). During assembly, theclip 425 is compressed radially into the groove 429 when theshuttle 324 is inserted axially into the tool bit bore 336 and shuttle bore 431. Once theclip 425 has moved rearwardly past therim 427, it is allowed to expand radially into the shuttle bore 431 and therefor retain theshuttle 324 from movement forwardly past the position shown in FIG. 12A. - The operative surfaces on the
shuttle 324 for theshuttle ball 320 are modified from the shuttle embodiments above. A locking hollow 370 is disposed annularly around theshuttle 324 and includes a forward face 371,forward wall 372,lower face 374, rear wall 375 and rear face 382. The forward face 371,lower face 374, and rear face 382 are circumferential surfaces that extend coaxially with the axis of theshuttle 324. Theforward wall 372 is adjacent to and rearward from the forward face 371 and extends radially inward (towards the longitudinal axis of the shuttle 324) and slightly rearward (towards thedriven end 332 of the chuck hub 312). The rear wall 375 extends from thelower face 374 radially outwardly and slightly rearwardly. - When the
shuttle 324 is in its rearward position (when a tool bit has been fully inserted within the tool bit bore 336), theshuttle ball 320 is received within the locking hollow 370 and engages thelower face 374 and rear wall 375. In this position, theshuttle spring 326 is compressed (FIG. 12) and the sleeve (not shown) has a surface which prevents theshuttle ball 320 from radial outward movement. Once the sleeve has been moved to allow outward radial movement of the shuttle ball 320 (FIG. 12A), theshuttle spring 326 urges theshuttle 324 forwardly in thebores clip 425 andrim 427. Theshuttle spring 326 andshuttle 324 thus serve to "pop" the tool bit slightly outwardly from the tool bit bore 336 once radial outward movement of theshuttle ball 320 is allowed, assuming also that the tool bit detent ball if one is employed in such a chuck hub assembly) is also allowed to move outwardly from the circumferential groove of the tool bit. - Finally, it should be noted that while the above embodiments of the invention have been described with respect to utilizing a sleeve and detent balls to lock a shuttle and tool bit into position, other tool locking designs are known in the art and could be incorporated to engage the shuttle and tool bit. These alternate locking designs can provide alternate methods of operation to the locking quick change chuck assembly. For example, spring-biased cross-pins (using a pin which is biased radially inward into the chuck bore) and tilting friction washers are known in the art and could be used to lock the shuttle and the tool bit in place in the chuck hub. Thus, any means which provides mechanical movement of a surface into the longitudinal bore of the chuck hub to engage the shuttle and/or the tool bit can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
- As mentioned above, other embodiments of the invention are possible. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be a illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with respect to the appended claims along with the full scope of equivalence to which such claims are entitled.
Claims (14)
- In a chuck assembly of the type having a chuck hub which has a longitudinally extendingbore therein, having a closed end and an open end, a radially extending bit ball bore in communication with the longitudinally extending bore, and a bit ball movable in the bit ball bore between a first retracted position out of the longitudinally extending bore and a second engaged position partially in the longitudinally extending bore, the improvement which comprises:a shuttle slidably disposed in the longitudinally extending bore, the shuttle having aspring end and a bit end, the shuttle having a first longitudinally extending portion having a first lateral dimension and a second longitudinally extending portion having a second, lateral dimension, the shuttle movable longitudinally between a first release position and a second lock position;a compression spring urging the shuttle away from the closed end of thelongitudinally extending bore; anda shuttle ball disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore in the chuck hubwhich is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore of the chuck hub, the shuttle ball being movable in the shuttle ball bore between a first retracted position where the shuttle ball contacts the first longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts the second longitudinally extending portion of the shuttle.
- The improvement ofshoulder extending between the first and second portions of the shuttle.claim 2
- The improvement ofshuttle ball is in its second extended position.claim 1
- The improvement ofend of the longitudinally extending bore than the second portion of the shuttle.claim 1
- The improvement ofshoulder extending between the first and second portions of the shuttle.claim 4
- The improvement ofextended position, extends farther into the longitudinally extending bore than the bit ball, when the bit ball is in its second engaged position.claim 1
- The improvement ofclaim 1a sleeve movable relative to the chuck hub between a first shuttle release position and asecond shuttle lock position, the sleeve having a first shuttle ball contact surface having a first radial dimension and a second shuttle ball contact surface having a second, smaller radial dimension, wherein the first contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in its first shuttle release position and the shuttle ball is in its first retracted position and the second contact surface engages the shuttle ball when the sleeve is in its second shuttle lock position and the shuttle ball is in its second extended position.
- The improvement ofchuck hub.claim 7
- The improvement ofis an inner circumferential surface.claim 7
- The improvement ofadjacent the shuttle ball bore, and the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve has a slightly larger diameter than the outer circumferential surface of the chuck hub.claim 9
- A locking chuck assembly for a tool bit shank of the type which has acircumferential groove disposed thereabout, the chuck assembly comprising:a chuck hub having a forward face and a fixed radial extension;a longitudinal bore in the chuck hub for receiving the tool bit shank, the longitudinal borehaving a terminating face;a shuttle disposed in the longitudinal bore, the shuttle having a bit end, a spring end, aforward lower face and a rearward interim face and the shuttle being slidable along the longitudinal bore between a rearward position and a forward position;a shuttle spring disposed between the spring end of the shuttle and the terminating face ofthe longitudinal bore, wherein the shuttle spring acts to bias the shuttle to its forward position;a rear bore extending radially through the chuck hub proximate the terminating face ofthe longitudinal bore so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore;a shuttle detent ball disposed in the rear bore so as to selectively engage the shuttle;a front bore extending radially through the hub proximate the forward face of thelongitudinal bore so as to be in communication with the longitudinal bore;a bit detent ball disposed in the front bore so as to selectively engage the circumferentialgroove of the tool bit shank;a sleeve disposed annularly about the chuck hub, the sleeve being slidable along thechuck hub between a tool bit loaded position and a load/unload position;a sleeve spring disposed between the fixed radial extension of the chuck hub and thesleeve to bias the sleeve toward its tool bit loaded position;wherein when the sleeve is disposed in its tool bit loaded position, the shuttle ispositioned in its rearward position such that the shuttle spring is compressed and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with the forward lower face on the shuttle so as to prevent the shuttle spring from moving the shuttle, while allowing the sleeve spring to bias the sleeve; andwherein when the sleeve is disposed in its load/unload position, the shuttle is positionedin its forward position such that the shuttle spring is less compressed than when the shuttle is in its rearward position and the shuttle detent ball is engaged with an rearward interim face on the shuttle and the sleeve in a position to allow the shuttle spring to bias the shuttle away from the terminating face of the longitudinal bore.
- The chuck assembly offrom further biasing the sleeve past its tool bit loaded position.claim 11
- A method of operating a portion of a chuck assembly of the type having a chuckhub which has longitudinally extending bore therein having a closed end and an open end, a radially extending bit ball bore in communication with the longitudinally extending bore, and a bit ball movable in the ball bore between a first retracted position out of the longitudinally extending bore and a second engaged position partially in the longitudinally extending bore, the method comprising the steps of:providing a shuttle slidably disposed in the longitudinally extending bore, a compressionspring for urging the shuttle away from the closed end of the longitudinally extending bore, and a shuttle ball disposed in a radially extending shuttle ball bore in the chuck hub which is in communication with the longitudinally extending bore of the chuck hub; andmoving the shuttle ball in the shuttle ball bore between a first retracted position where theshuttle ball contacts a rearward outer section of the shuttle which has a first lateral dimension and a second extended position where the shuttle ball contacts a forward outer section of the shuttle which has a second, smaller lateral dimension so as to limit the extent of forward movement of the shuttle in the longitudinally extending bore.
- The method ofclaim 13providing a sleeve which is movable longitudinally on the chuck hub between a firstposition and a second position; andmoving the sleeve between (1) the sleeve's first position which in turn causes the bit ballto move to its first retracted position and the shuttle ball to move to its first retracted position, and (2) the sleeve's second position which in turn causes the bit ball to move to its second engaged position and the shuttle ball to move to its second retracted position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/713,579 US6457916B2 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-11-15 | Locking quick-change chuck assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US16552099P | 1999-11-15 | 1999-11-15 | |
US09/713,579 US6457916B2 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-11-15 | Locking quick-change chuck assembly |
Publications (2)
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US20010043841A1 true US20010043841A1 (en) | 2001-11-22 |
US6457916B2 US6457916B2 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
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US09/713,579 Expired - Lifetime US6457916B2 (en) | 1999-11-15 | 2000-11-15 | Locking quick-change chuck assembly |
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US (1) | US6457916B2 (en) |
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